Earliest origin/first appearance superhero art 0

[drdroom]

I picked up the Master 1, page 1 (cover date March 1940) in the Berk auction, and I am wondering is there any extant Superhero origin art older or of similar age than this? I believe there are some pages from the first Sub-Mariner story out there, but can't remember if they have origin material, and I seem to remember some Superman prototype stuff. What else?

[suspense39]

This is the earliest origin story page I've seen. 

[jaybuck43]

46 minutes ago, suspense39 said:

This is the earliest origin story page I've seen. 

Superman's Origin (parts of which were used in Action #1) were sold by Sotheby's in 1994.  I believe it was originally a 5 panel strip used for a newspaper that was then cut up and used as part of Action #1.

[suspense39]

Interesting.  I think I have that catalog.  I'll look it up

[drdroom]

5 hours ago, suspense39 said:

Interesting.  I think I have that catalog.  I'll look it up

If you find it, can you post a scan of the listing?

 

[suspense39]

7 hours ago, drdroom said:

If you find it, can you post a scan of the listing?

 

I will try and get to it tonight

[jaybuck43]

1 hour ago, suspense39 said:

I will try and get to it tonight

I can save ya the time.

[suspense39]

6 hours ago, jaybuck43 said:

I can save ya the time.

Nice, thanks

[alxjhnsn]

It's not a published story page, but it is the first Wonder Woman drawing. The fact that this still exists amazes me. I enjoyed reading her creators explain the drawing.

Edited June 25, 2017 by alxjhnsn

[drdroom]

Man, that Superman art is SUH-WEET! Anyone know what it hammered for? & Also, were the the original Superman dailies published in '39-'40, or ever? Aside from the two panels thought to have been used in Action 1? I'm thinking I may still have a claim on earliest extant published superhero origin story OA (that's a lotta qualifiers, but hey, a record is a record)

[tth2]

the jon berk auction had a page from whiz 2 with the first appearance of ibis the invincible.

[vodou]

8 hours ago, drdroom said:

Anyone know what it hammered for?

It didn't. It passed live but sold within a few days/weeks of the auction privately for $100k. I believe that was also the hidden reserve (all very much "iirc"!)

[drdroom]

20 hours ago, tth2 said:

the jon berk auction had a page from whiz 2 with the first appearance of ibis the invincible.

Right you are, the Whiz 2 is earlier by 2 or 3 months. I will refrain from making any derogatory comments regarding "magicians" or "not really costumed as such" and graciously congratulate the new owner. Boy, that first round of Fawcett heroes had pretty dopey origins, didn't they? 

[tth2]

I was the underbidder.

[drdroom]

20 minutes ago, tth2 said:

I was the underbidder.

What did it go for?

[mtlevy1]

On 6/24/2017 at 5:09 PM, alxjhnsn said:

It's not a published story page, but it is the first Wonder Woman drawing. The fact that this still exists amazes me. I enjoyed reading her creators explain the drawing.

Very cool!

[delekkerste]

13 hours ago, tth2 said:

I was the underbidder.

If they make an Ibis the Invincible movie, your regret level will be off the charts!

I think they should make a "Shock Gibson" movie.  

[drdroom]

I mean, clearly Master Man has incredible franchise potential. He's braver than mighty lions!

[MrBedrock]

On 6/26/2017 at 11:55 AM, drdroom said:

I mean, clearly Master Man has incredible franchise potential. He's braver than mighty lions!

He is a top-notch baitor as well. A master in fact.

[tth2]

On ‎6‎/‎26‎/‎2017 at 9:44 AM, drdroom said:

On ‎6‎/‎26‎/‎2017 at 9:22 AM, tth2 said:

I was the underbidder.

What did it go for?

$2272